Powder Horns

[toot]

do you use BLACK INDIA INK? back in the day when most ink was made from rusty iron nails, it came out a SEPEIA COLOUR, brown. I read that they would use charcoal? ever heard of that being used? seams like it would not last? maybe they mixed the two. who knows. just quercous.

 

[JohnL]

do you use BLACK INDIA INK? back in the day when most ink was made from rusty iron nails, it came out a SEPEIA COLOUR, brown. I read that they would use charcoal? ever heard of that being used? seams like it would not last? maybe they mixed the two. who knows. just quercous.

I studied on the Black India ink and read a few accounts of persons simply rubbing dirt into the etchings. I used calligraphy pigment ink. I’m guessing anything they had available to get down into the etching would hold because they could wax over it with beeswax. I sealed my end caps with beeswax and coated the entire horn in it to try to prevent heavy staining from use. Not sure if that’s a good train of thought or not, but so far it works on mine. I gave the scrimshawed one to my uncle. Makes me want to do more research. I’ve got two more on the backburner.

 

[Kev308]

He does! He is on Facebook, and was super helpful! He is an old school artisan who wants the traditions passed down. He patiently answered all of my questions.

Thanks I’ll look him up!

 

[toot]

I studied on the Black India ink and read a few accounts of persons simply rubbing dirt into the etchings. I used calligraphy pigment ink. I’m guessing anything they had available to get down into the etching would hold because they could wax over it with beeswax. I sealed my end caps with beeswax and coated the entire horn in it to try to prevent heavy staining from use. Not sure if that’s a good train of thought or not, but so far it works on mine. I gave the scrimshawed one to my uncle. Makes me want to do more research. I’ve got two more on the backburner.

if you find out let us know?

 

[Blaze]

Very nice, " ya dun good"!

 

[KLWeaver]

Did he leave the weaving as the only part to attach to the horn? It almost takes away from the beauty of the horns. I've enjoyed watching Dan's work over the years, he is quite the weaver!

 

[JohnL]

Did he leave the weaving as the only part to attach to the horn? It almost takes away from the beauty of the horns. I've enjoyed watching Dan's work over the years, he is quite the weaver!

For those two straps, yes. He discussed several other attachment options to include sewing leather pieces, etc.